Obituaries

May 17, 2023

Catherine Ritsema Sommerfelt, 71, a lifelong resident of Paw Paw, went home to her Lord and Savior May 17, 2023, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Born into the world March 8, 1952, Catherine was one of five children. She was a faithful member at Trinity Lutheran Church of Paw Paw, where she was baptized and confirmed June...

May 16, 2023

Faith Lee Labadie, 24, of Paw Paw, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Battle Creek, leaving many people whose lives she had touched with great sorrow. Faith was born to Tom and Lisa (Hill) Labadie in Paw Paw, May 15, 1999. She attended Trinity Lutheran School through 8th grade and then attended Paw Paw High School. She...

May 10, 2023

Robert Gene Shears, 81, of Lawton, passed away Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Plainwell Pines in Plainwell.

He was born October 13, 1941, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert Romain Shears and Mary Naomi(Sims) Hurley.

Throughout his life, Robert and his family moved around quite often, from Michigan to Kentucky and back to Michigan. He...

May 9, 2023

Linda Sue Salter age 74, passed away in Hospice Care at Centrica in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Tuesday - May 9, 2023 following a lengthy illness. She was born on February 3, 1949 - the daughter of Robert H. Redinger and Annabelle (Anthony) Redinger.

Linda had many passions in life, the most important among them was her beloved...

May 9, 2023

Roger Chase, age 73, of Paw Paw, MI, passed away Tuesday May 9, 2023 at Centrica Rose Arbor Place in Kalamazoo, MI.

He was born November 26, 1949 in Paw Paw, Michigan, the son of Leland  Chase and Loretta (Garrod ) Chase.

Roger was a talented fabricator and retired after working as a machinist for...

May 9, 2023

On May 9, 2023, Arthur Lynn Richardson left this world to enter Paradise with his Lord and Savior Jesus. Art had a prolonged stay in hospice as he battled several debilitating illnesses, surviving well beyond the expectations of the hospice nurses and staff.

Art was born in Paw Paw, Michigan, on October 11, 1948, to his parents...

May 8, 2023

Brenda Joyce Heighton passed away on Monday, May 8, 2023 at home in Mattawan, Michigan with her family by her side.

She was born May 10, 1943 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the daughter of Nicholas Aleksich and Elizabeth (Isaac) Aleksich.

Brenda had a green thumb, and there was nothing she loved more than working in her...

May 6, 2023

Esther Narlene Goodrich, 96, of Lawrence, passed away Saturday, May 6, 2023, peacefully at her home in Lawrence.

She was born June 15, 1926, in Quincy, Illinois, the daughter of Charles Edward Lundahl and Ida June (Clifford) Lundahl.

Esther lived a full life rich faith and family. She was a devoted Christian and enjoyed spending...

May 6, 2023

Harvey Lawrence Holm II, 78, of Mattawan, MI, passed away Saturday May 6, 2023, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born November 8, 1944, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, the son of Harvey L. Holm Sr. and Leila (Kihl) Holm.

Harvey was raised in the south suburbs of Chicago where he graduated...

May 4, 2023

Marlene Louise Krajewski, 87, of Paw Paw, passed away Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Medilodge in Kalamazoo.

She was born March 25, 1936, in Paw Paw, the daughter of Clifton Day and Alice (Harter) Day. On July 7, 1956, she married Walter Krajewski who preceded her in death in 2010.

She is survived by her...

May 2, 2023

JoAnn (Kobe) Smith, 91 of Paw Paw, passed away May 2, 2023. She was born to the late Frank and Jennie Kobe. She worked at her parent’s root beer stand; The Big Barrell Drive Inn. She later retired from McKenzie Insurance in 1993. She was a longtime member of Saint Mary Catholic Church. She loved all of the flowers...

May 2, 2023

Norma Dacoba, age 99, passed away on May 2, 2023, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, just shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on May 15, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, to Italian immigrants, Amo and Rose Scotese.

She was raised in Paw Paw, Michigan, and attended Steeple School and later attended Paw Paw High School, graduating class of...

Apr 30, 2023

Sandra Ann Evans, 72, of Hartford, passed away Sunday, April 30, 2023. She was born May 8, 1950, in Dowagiac, the daughter of Dar Evans and Ann Marie (Murphy) Evans.

Sandy was a dedicated and hard worker her entire life. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and having her cat by her side. She was an...

Apr 29, 2023

Violet Jean Soule, 89, of Portage, passed away Saturday, April 29, 2023, at her home. She was born August 18, 1933, in Joliet, Illinois, to the late Joseph Papesh and Jean Julia (Vicich) Vliek, second to the oldest of nine children. She married Arthur Soule, July 16, 1955. Her father, Joseph Papesh passed away when she was a young...

Apr 27, 2023

Isiah W. Shepard, 69, of Kalamazoo, MI, passed away Thursday April 27, 2023.

He was born November 8, 1953, in Chicago. Isiah grew up in Chicago and relocated to Bangor Michigan for a short time before settling in Kalamazoo, Michigan and then Scotts. He worked as a bouncer in Kalamazoo for many years, where he established many...

Apr 23, 2023

Michael Lee Drobny, 61, of Paw Paw, passed away Sunday, April 23, 2023.

He was born March 9, 1962, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the son of Stanley Michael Drobny and Nancy (Huntington) Marr.

Mike was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1981. He dedicated 41 years to Coca-Cola in Paw Paw, looking forward to retirement next...

Apr 20, 2023

Jean Marie Taylor began her journey in Manistique, Michigan, March 18, 1932, daughter to Lauritz Drevdahl and Melba (Davidson) Drevdahl. She was raised in Manistique and attend Michigan State University where she graduated in 1954. While in school, Jean was a proud member of Phi Beta Phi Sorority, Kappa Delta Phi Honorary, Phi Kappa Phi Honorary and Delta Gamma...

Apr 14, 2023

Darlene Ann Spalo, nee Kucera passed away peacefully in Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph, Michigan on April 14, 2023, at the age of 77.

Born on November 30, 1945, she was the middle daughter of Henry James Kucera and Adeline Lauferski of Clarendon Hills, Illinois. She attended Hinsdale Township High School and worked in Chicago after graduation in...

Apr 12, 2023

In loving memory of Irene Leona Vukorpa, who entered into eternal rest on April 12, 2023, at Maple Lake Assisted Living, at the age of 90.

Irene was born in Chicago on January 5, 1933, the daughter of Andrew and Filomena (Tarala) Jurczak.  She attended Saint James School and Good Counsel High School in Chicago as a...

Apr 10, 2023

Laura Jeanne Vogt, 48, of Paw Paw, passed away Monday April 10, 2023, at home with her family by her side.

She was born September 7, 1974, in Oak Park, Illinois, the daughter of David Howard Vogt Sr.and Kathleen (Lyons) Vogt.

Laura moved with her family from Chicago to Paw Paw at a young age....